| Lifestyles | ||
| Gender Talk (page 1 2 3 4) |
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| By
Meredith D'Agnolo Staff Writer |
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“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” “That is so sweet, thank you very much.” “I was thinking, that maybe, if you don’t mind…” “Keith is such a moron.” All stereotypes aside, it is pretty easy to determine the sex of the speaker of the above statements. Each sentence, uttered by a different student of the College during the past few weeks, points to the obvious differences between female and male speech patterns. While most are aware of the fact that women and men utilize different techniques to speak, many do not realize the significant and sometimes damaging consequences that can result. Many such differences are serving to perpetuate a number of traditional biases and oppressions that women face today. Take The College of New Jersey English professor, Felicia Steele, for example. At a recent department meeting, Steele made a particularly witty statement regarding the issues that the group was discussing. At the close of the meeting, the woman who was running the discussion recapped the issues brought to the floor, by acknowledging everyone who had spoken. “And the woman running the meeting, making sure she acknowledges everyone who had spoken, acknowledged a man, and gave him credit for what I had said! Many other women just sit by and let it happen. But, not me,” Steele said indignantly.
It is considered a feminine practice to try to build consensus, and in a meeting setting, women can accomplish this by acknowledging everyone who has spoken and encouraging others to participate. While this politeness practice seems harmless, such a simple error on that woman’s part speaks of many deeper problems. The woman running the meeting gave a man credit for Steele’s statement. Perhaps, some may view it as an honest mistake. Not Steele. “It’s the perfect example of a woman consciously using a feminine practice and falling into patterns that men have indoctrinated, integrated into society,” she explained. |
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Meredith
D'Agnolo is a junior journalism major and political science minor. She is also news editor of The
Signal and also a writer for The Journal. In addition, she is a member of The College's Honor's
Program, the Society of Honor Students and the English Honor Society (Sigma Tau Delta). |
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